Canon SX120 IS has a
10.0MP 1/2.5-inch (5.744 x 4.308 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Canon SX230 HS has a
12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor.
Below you can see the SX120 IS and SX230 HS sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX120 IS and Canon SX230 HS Cameras
As seen above, Canon SX230 HS has a 1.1x Larger sensor area than Canon SX120 IS. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon SX120 IS
or the
Canon SX230 HS ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/2.5-inch versus 1/2.3-inch),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
